perched aquifers

A perched aquifer is a small, isolated underground water layer that forms above a less permeable rock or soil layer. When rainwater seeps downward, it gets trapped above this impermeable layer, creating a localized, temporary water reserve. This perched water is separate from the main groundwater and can fluctuate with rainfall. Since it’s confined above a barrier, it’s often shallow and more vulnerable to drying out during dry periods, making it an important but less stable source of water in the environment.